How do you take pics or save screenshots.

[creeping death]

I have been playing the Combat Mission series for years, especially Afrika Korps. I see alot of cool pics from everyone and I keep thinking I would like to post a few. How does one save a pic during game play?
Thanks for your help.

[The Purist]

Hit "print screen" during the action you want save.

Open you photo editor (ie. Photoshop)

Paste the image and save as jpg (for example).

Cut away all extranious graphics so as to reduce the picture file size (the forum has a limit)

Attach to your post.

I am told that is how it works and have saved many pictures to my fancy-smansy photo thingy. My only problem is I cannot figure out how to reduce the size of the pic so it will fit the limits :cry: . I usually end up with itty-bitty postage stamp shots that are quite useless.

[KG_Norad]

Purist...unless something has changed you should not be having that problem. Are you trying to attach the pic so you have to click it to open it or are you trying to have the pic show open in your post ala Dr. Sinisters Stories?

If it is the latter...unfortunately I am not very adept with this technique but perhaps Sinister could give you a few pointers. But if you are just trying to attach the pic email it to me and I will check it out. Edit the pic to the size you want it to be and I will test it out for you.

[KG_Norad]

CD-as the purist said you can hit print screen or Alt-print screen (I am not sure which). Pause the game. Press Alt-ESC to minimize combat mission. Then save the file in any photo editor, Paint, Photoshop Etc... The problem with paint is it does not make effectively small jpg's. It really does pay to have something better.

[The Purist]

I'll see what I can make work and email to you tonight.

Edit to post below:

Yes, yes,... I seeeee. Well,...I'll monkey about with it when I get home. Like I mentioned, whatever program it is I have on my Dell wonder machine, it is way beyond my skills. I'll probably take this offline with you this evening.

Cheers and thanks, Norad

[KG_Norad]

Something to keep in mind also is that it is not just the dimensions it is how you save it. If you look at our Screenshots sticky thread you will notice pics of different sizes...some are quite large.

If you do use photoshop do not just save as a jpg. choose the option "save for web". This opens a dialog box that allows you to choose format (jpg or gif) Choose jpg. THEN reduce the quality to about 60-70% It will still look ok on-line and also drastically reduce the weight of the pic. Of course always crop what you can as well.

[Doctor Sinister]

Purist...unless something has changed you should not be having that problem. Are you trying to attach the pic so you have to click it to open it or are you trying to have the pic show open in your post ala Dr. Sinisters Stories?

If it is the latter...unfortunately I am not very adept with this technique but perhaps Sinister could give you a few pointers. But if you are just trying to attach the pic email it to me and I will check it out. Edit the pic to the size you want it to be and I will test it out for you.
Glad to be of help - but not sure if my answer will assist...

The only reason all my pictures show up in the story thread(s) is because I am not attaching them, I am linking to them from elsewhere. The pictures are all actually hosted on my own personal webspace, and I Hyperlink to them from in here.

I do this because I think it adds to the story to see them displayed immediately, but unless you have your own webspace (or the pix are already "out there") you can only have them appear as attachments in your postings here.

Before the great WHQ/ACG merger the ACG site was set up to display the pictures automatically, but they've turned that option off now to save everyone's bandwidth.

Dr. S.

[creeping death]

When I hit print screen or alt print screen nothing happens, It doesnt give me any files or anything.
Is there something else I can do.
I need help AHHHGGG!!!!

[KG_RangerBooBoo]

When you hit print screen it is like saving it to the clipboard. Open up Paint and then go to edit -> Paste and your screenshot will be pasted in the new window for you to save as a jpg. or edit and save.

[Neepster]

Incidentally, if you don't have Photoshop and want a couple of free programs to do similar things, check out Gimp2.0 for Windows:
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/

And for those quick times you just want to save or open a jpg (ideal for what is being described here), try Irfanview:
http://www.irfanview.com/

Irfanview is fast and small and can save most formats while Gimp2.0 is neither fast nor small, but can do many of the advanced things that Photoshop can do (without the $600 pricetag).